Deadwood and Oz: DirecTV to Air Cancelled Series

Published: April 23, 2009

Cementing their reputation for scooping up beloved cancelled series, DirecTV has announced that they’re going to be airing two more; Deadwood and Oz.

Deadwood is a historical-based drama, centered around an outlaw camp in the Old West. The HBO series was nominated for 22 Emmy Awards and won seven in its all too-brief 36 episode, three season run. The drama showcases the talents of thespians like Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Brad Dourif, W. Earl Brown, John Hawkes, Paula Malcomson, Dayton Callie, Leon Rippy, William Sanderson, Robin Weigert, Sean Bridgers, and Bree Seanna Wall. HBO committed to produce a pair of movies to wrap up the series but they never materialized, leaving the show without an ending.

Which HBO series is better? Oz or Deadwood?

DirecTV kept Passions alive when NBC cancelled it but that didn’t last a full year. More recently, DirecTV has been helping to keep Friday Night Lights alive by partnering with NBC to produce the show. The satellite television provider recently announced plans to begin airing short-lived network series like Smith, The Nine, and Eyes on the DirecTV’s exclusive Channel 101.

The provider will also be airing all episodes of Deadwood and Oz. This will mark the first time that either series has been run on television outside of HBO. As Variety reports, the shows’ gritty content, harsh language, and small episode count has limited interest by regular syndication outlets.

Patty Ishimoto, the 101 Network’s VP-general manager, said, “We are committed to bringing the highest-quality shows to our subscribers, and these are two of the most riveting dramas ever made for television.”

DirecTV will start airing both drama series on Sunday nights beginning May 31st. Episodes will also be offered via DirecTV’s on-demand service. They’ll run unedited, without commercial interruption, and in high-definition.

Shame OZ ended and ended the way it did; just leaving a person hanging. I had HBO for YEARS and YEARS. I’ve not had it since and will never have it again due to this – even turned it down for free when offered for (I believe it was) 3 months when I upgraded service again because it was not worth the hassle of canceling at end of free period.